Friday, April 5th

Usher in April with ROYGBIV themed First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Sip some cocktails while enjoying live entertainment and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Must be 21 to attend. $18. 220 E. Chicago, 312.397.4010.Chicago Improv Festival continues on 20 stages through April 7. Shows range from free to $25. Visit chicagoimprovfestival.org for schedule.

Blue Man Group is a funky, theatrical performance that incorporates technogeek ingenuity in conjunction with leading the audience in primal, collective exhilaration. It is infrequent to experience both forces at once, especially in a world in which technology is relied upon so heavily. See the show at Briar Street Theatre. 4pm, 7pm & 10pm. $49–$67.50. 3133 N. Halstead, 773.348.4000.

Catch all of the Chicago Bulls action when they play the Orlando Magic at 7pm at the United Center (1901 W. Madison, 312.455.7000). Stop by Club Lucky for baby back ribs oreganato before the game. 1824 W. Wabansia, 773.227.2300.

The Chicago White Sox play the Seattle Mariners at 7:10pm. Games are also on Sat at 2:10pm and Sun. at 1:10pm at U.S. Cellular Field (333 W. 35th, 312.674.1000). Stop by Gino’s East Sports Bar for a beer before the game. 521 S. Dearborn, 312.939.1818.

Catch Me If You Can opens tonight at Cadillac Palace Theatre. A teenager runs away from home and poses as a pilot, doctor and lawyer with millions of dollars as forged checks and lives the dream until he’s wanted by the FBI. 7:30pm. $18–$85. 151 W. Randolph, 312.384.1502.

JEFF Garlin @ UP Comedy Club

The Second City’s newest venue, UP Comedy Club offers a diverse array of stand-up comedians, both locally and nationally famous. This weekend: see Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) April 5-6. With comedy shows seven days a week, including improv and sketch shows, UP also features a full-service kitchenand a full bar with no drink minimum. Make a dinner reservation in advance, and receive priority seating at the show. $25. 230 W. North, 312.662.4562.

Saturday, April 6th

Explore the impact that birds had on Ancient Egyptian religion, design and the conception of the state in The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago’s exhibit Between Heaven and Earth: Birds in Ancient Egypt. 10am–6pm. FREE. 1155 E. 58th, 773.702.9507.

The world’s first mariachi opera, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, plays at the Lyric Opera. 3:30pm. $25–$125. 20 N. Wacker, 312.332.2244.Watch the Chicago Blackhawks take on the National Predators at 6pm at the United Center (1901 W. Madison, 312.455.7000). Stop by Billy Goat Tavern before for a bite to eat before the game. 1535 W. Madison, 312.733.9132.

After witnessing police rough up a resident of a Chicago housing project, an 18-year-old befriends a homeless man who sleeps on a bench. Witness the moving story Blacktop Sky at The Steppenwolf Garage. 8pm. $20. 1624. N. Halstead, 312.335.0440.

monday, april 8th

Step inside this simulated cave and see paintings and a family from 20,000 years ago in Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux at The Field Museum. Rare stone–age artifacts are also on display. 9am–5pm. Adults, $23–$30; Seniors and Students, $19–$25; Kids (ages 3–11), $16–$21. 1400 S. Lake Shore, 312.922.9410. April showers bring May flowers, check out the Spring Flower Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. 9am–5pm. FREE. 2391 N. Stockton, 312.742.7736. It’s opening day at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison, 773.404.2827). Cheer the Cubs to a “W” when they play they Brewers at 1:20pm. Games also at 7:05 Tues. and Wed. After the game, stop by John Barleycorn for a beer and some grub. 3524 N. Clark, 773.549.6000. See some of Chicago’s professional comedic stand-up acts in 100 Proof Comedy at ComedySportz Theatre. These local acts promise lots of laughs. Ages 18 and over. 8pm. $10. 929 W. Belmont, 773.549.8080.

Jewish immigrants and their descendants had an important impact on Chicago. The Chicago History Museum offers more than 300 artifacts, images and engaging interactive experiences in its Shalom Chicago exhibit. 9:30am–4:30pm (daily.) Adults, $14; Seniors & Students (13­–22); Children 13 & Under are free. 1601 N. Clark, 312.642.4600.

bulls vs. raptor @ united center

Catch all of the Chicago Bulls action tonight at 7pm when they play the Toronto Raptors at the United Center (1901 W. Madison, 312.455.7000). Stop by Billy Goat Tavern for a beer and burger before the game. 1535 W. Madison, 312.733.9132.

wednesday, april 10th

The Art Institute of Chicago presents its first large-scale Pablo Picasso exhibit in three decades, Picasso and Chicago. It showcases more then 250 pieces of his work. 10:30am–5pm. Adults, $18; Children (under 14), Free. 111 S. Michigan.

Post–World War II, Chicago established itself as a world capital in modern architecture. Chicago Architecture Foundation offers a close-up look at these buildings in their walking Modern Skyscrapers tour. 1pm (daily.) $17. 224 S. Michigan, 312.922.3432. Shakespeare’s dark comedy Measure for Measure is showing at The Goodman Theatre. Watch virtue and vice collide to reveal a web of lies and deception among rulers. Intended for mature audiences. Call for other show times this week. 7:30pm. $27.50–$76. 170 N. Dearborn, 312.443.3800.The Second City’s show, Let Them Eat Chaos, opens today. The show is performed on the main stage. 8pm. $23. 1616 N. Wells, 312.337.3992.

thursday, April 11th

The Cubs play the San Francisco Giants today at 1:20pm at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison, 773.404.2827). Games also at 1:20pm on Fri. and Sun. and 12:05pm on Sat. Head over to Moe’s Cantina after the game for food and drinks. 3518 N. Clark, 773.248.0002. Get your basketball fix by cheering on the Chicago Bulls as they challenge the New York Knicks at 7pm at the United Center (1901 W. Madison, 312.455.7000). Stop by Billy Goat Tavern before for a bite to eat and learn about a goat’s impact on a Chicago sports team. 1535 W. Madison, 312.733.9132.

big fish @ oriental theater

A father’s epic adventures frustrate his son and prompt him to dig deeper into his tall tales in Big Fish. See the journey take place at Oriental Theater for opening night. 7:30pm. $30–­$85 24 W. Randolph, 312.977.1700.

friday, april 12th

The Chicago Blackhawks take on the Detroit Redwings at 7:30pm at the United Center (1901 W. Madison, 312.455.7000). Start your night right with a cheezeborger at Billy Goat Tavern and cheer this team toward the Stanley Cup. 1535 W. Madison, 312.733.9132.Widespread Panic plays at UIC Pavilion after their year–long hiatus. This is the first show of two in Chicago this weekend. 7:30pm. $44. 525 S. Racine, 312.473.5700. Actor and comedian Chris Tucker is doing stand-up performance at the Chicago Theater. Best known for his role in the Rush Hour film series, he has been doing stand-up since the 1990s. 8pm and 11pm. $55.50–$75.50. 175 N. State, 312.462.6300.